ZAPPA PART ONE: Early Live Shenanigans

It was when I was fourteen years old that I discovered the music and humor of Frank Zappa.  His oddness made me laugh and his musicianship awed me.  In that next year I listened to music that my neighbor had and then went to see him live and everything changed from that point forward.  Zappa was a true original.  Frank's music and the music he was influenced by made me curious and made me explore more and more.  

It was Classic Rock radio where I heard my first Zappa song and it was the neighbor who had the records that let me go deep inside the world of Zappa.  I will admit I thought he was a novelty act and was like a Weird Al of the 1960's and 1970's.  It was not until much later that the musicians on his albums were some of the best at their instruments and I would listen to them to heard some really great music.  They all sounded "funny" to me.

When I continued to explore his music I noticed it was all quirky and interesting.  Zappa's music is always interesting.  It is the music that changed mine and countless others lives.  It was the music that a trained ear could hear how incredible his band was.  They were all top notch musicians and Frank wanted it this way.  Watching the documentary on Zappa they mentioned how he hand picked the great personnel he had playing for them.  One of those of many he had was George Duke. One of my favorite people in his band that went on to do great things.  His keyboard playing was out of this world. I have many of his solo albums and they are amazing.  His tribute to Brazilian music is creative but also so addicting to listen to.  A Brazilian Love Affair is an album that I'm sure no one saw coming after his stint with Frank Zappa.  

Zappa's music was always humorous, but the technical stuff he did was other worldly. In hearing Roxy & Elsewhere he tells his audience to focus on some members of the band.  He does his focus on George Duke, Ruth Underwood, and the drumming section.  He takes pride in having two drummers and a percussionist that can give any drummer from that time a run for it's money.  Zappa's music sounded perfect with them in the band.  It felt that the music was improvised more then rehearsed. They know what they are doing. If anything The Roxy Performances is the best bet for some of this stuff.  If you want raw and some edits or even a time capsule of Zappa late in 1973 then Elsewhere is the way to go.

Zappa listening is tough, but the music is as important as any Bach, Beethoven or Mozart. I prefer this era because its the most creative and most interesting.  The band is a cohesive unit it seems like the band is doing pretty well backing him and maneuvering through his touches of beautiful and odd compositions. There is some direction here, but they mostly know what they are doing.  Each band member shines and it shows that Zappa does not want to get all the credit. Each song is perfect the way they are.  Hearing some of the same material on The Roxy Performances Box Set this music does not seem like he did not a lot of fixing and or changing things, but that was not the case.  Reading up on the music there was, and I'm kinda okay with that.  I wish that time machine was around and I would surely be at the Roxy for these shows. There is a lot of fun moments for me.  A great example his explanation of cheap "monster" movies and a giant poodle dog. It's a great intro to the song "Cheepnis." Never on an album and not sure if it was every laid down to tape in a studio session, but sure is exciting. 

Zappa's music has always made me feel uncomfortable, but that might be the beauty of it. In Roxy and Elsewhere it gets under your skin in a good way, the more you feel it the more you like it. Of the many live music that Zappa and Zappa Trust put out, this might be the one that gets me. It's a perfect in every way and I want to hear more after the seventy minute performance caught on tape for us to hear.  when you listen to quote Zappa himself, "Watch Ruth." that might be the jaw dropping experience that gets me. She is of the Zappa alums, my personal favorite, George Duke nipping at her heals is number two.  They both steal the show.  Enjoy!